Method for linking call log information to address book entries and replying using medium of choice

ABSTRACT

A method for utilizing the caller identification information stored in call logs to retrieve address book entries stored in a database, enabling a reply to each call in the call log using the communication medium and contact address of choice. Using this method, a customer can access the call logs for various phone numbers using a computer and can link to additional contact information associated with each entry. This additional contact information is stored in an address book database, either locally or on a network. Caller identification information in the call log can be used to search the address book and retrieve alternate addresses spanning a range of possible reply media, such as cell phones, E-mail, PDA, and telefacsimile.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telephone call logs and, in particular,to methods for linking the call logs to address book entries for replyoptions.

BACKGROUND

Modern phone networks provide for the identification and logging ofphone calls made across the network. The information available aboutthese phone calls includes the date and time of the call, the durationof the call, the dialed number and the number placing the call, and thenames and addresses of the persons or businesses associated with thesenumbers. This information can be logged in a personal computer, aprivate branch exchange (PBX), Centrex equipment, or a databaseconnected to a network such as a service provider network or a TCP/IPtype computer network. Most of this information is typically not madeavailable to the general public but is used for the purposes of CallDetail Reporting, to monitor phone usage, and to provide for customerbilling.

Some of such information, for example the number originating the phonecall, can be displayed at the dialed number on the Customer PremisesEquipment (CPE). The CPE displays the number placing the call and logs arecord of that number locally along with the date and time of that call.Some services may also display the name of the subscriber assigned tothe originating number. Personal computers connected to services such asAsynchronous Digital Subscriber Lines (ASDL) can also create logs ofreceived calls that are resident locally in these computers or logged inthe network. In either example, however, a person must be at the CPE orpersonal computer to view these received call logs and typicallymanually re-enters the originating numbers to return missed calls or tosave the contents of the call log.

Modern telephone services utilizing Internet Protocol (IP) phoneservice, such as is available with ASDL, provide added functionalityover conventional wire line type phones. In particular, IP phones canalert a subscriber to an incoming or waiting call using “pop-up” styleon-screen windows. The user can then choose whether or not to answer thecall. In addition, such services provide for the logging of phone callsinto a call log associated with an IP phone number. The subscriber canthen access and review the call log. Examples of such services can befound in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,282,275 and 6,353,611. The use of theinformation contained in these call logs, however, has been quitelimited. Moreover, the call logs are stand alone applications and arenot integrated with other computer based programs located at asubscriber's premises.

Therefore, a method is desired to provide increased utilization andfunctionality of a telephone call log. Such increased utilization wouldinclude integration with other computer based communication and addressbook programs for storage and retrieval of call log information, and useof that information to contact call log entries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a method according to the present invention links thecall log contents of a call to address book entries stored eitherlocally on a customer's personal computer or on a network, to provideoption in replying to that call. The method includes retrieving the calllog associated with the called phone number from a first database,selecting at least one entry from the list of callers in the call log,retrieving at least one address book for the selected entry from asecond database, the address book comprising a plurality of contactaddresses for the selected entry, selecting one or more contactaddresses, and contacting the selected entry using the selected contactaddresses via a medium of choice (e.g., E-mail, I-page, or alternatephone numbers).

In order to retrieve the address book, a customer interfaces with a calllog manager that launches at least one computer executable addressprogram having access to the address books stored in the seconddatabase, searches the second database for address books associated withthe selected entry, retrieves at least one address book associated withthe selected dialing number entry, and displays the contents of theretrieved address books. The contact addresses include E-mail addresses,internet pager addresses, wire line phone numbers, internet protocolphone numbers, telefacsimile numbers, instant messaging addresses,personal digital assistant addresses, or combinations thereof.

After the customer selects one or more contact addresses, the call logmanager launches at least one computer executable communication programcapable of utilizing the selected contact addresses. The customer thenuses this communication program to contact the parties associated withthe selected entries from the call log.

The method of the present invention provides the advantage of providinga customer with increased utilization of the contents of a call log tomanage missed phone calls. In addition, management and use of the calllog is provided in a single automated environment that provides forcontacting parties using any one of a number of communications media,saving the customer time in have to look up addresses for the entries ina call log and launching separate programs to communicate with theseentries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a subscriber and serviceprovider network configuration for use with a method of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a high level flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a methodof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a first computer interface for use with themethod of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a second computer interface for use withthe method of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a first computer interface for use with themethod of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method according to the present invention uses call log information toretrieve a caller profile and to reply using the medium and address ofchoice. This method can be used to retrieve and utilize the contents ofcall logs stored in databases that are located both internally andexternally to telephone networks or Service Provider Networks (SPN)including wireless networks and wireline networks such as PubliclySwitched Telephone Networks (PSTN). Preferably, the call logs are storedin databases located at the premises of subscribers or customers of theSPN.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an example of a network configuration 1for use with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. TheSPN 2, for example a PSTN, is provided and may include a plurality ofwireline subscribers 3. Each wireline subscriber 3 includes CustomerPremises Equipment (CPE) 4 such as telephones, answering machines,telefacsimile machines, and caller identification displays. The SPN 2also includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of, internaldatabases 5 for storing information necessary for the operation of theSPN 2. Suitable information includes profile information aboutsubscribers including billing information, communication protocols,information about services to which various subscribers have subscribedand call logs.

The SPN 2 is connected to one or more wireless communication networks 6.Each wireless communication network includes transmission equipment 7,such as cellular towers, for communicating with a plurality of wirelessdevices 8 such as, for example, cellular phones, pagers and personaldigital assistants (PDA). The wireless devices are in communication withthe SPN 2.

The SPN 2 also includes a plurality of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)customers 9, for example Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ASDL)customers. These subscribers have CPE that includes, for example,personal computers 10 and telephones for use as conventional phones oras IP-type phones. The DSL subscribers CPE interface with the SPNthrough a plurality of routers 12 or DSL line modems disposed at thesubscribers' premises. The routers are connected to one or more DigitalSubscriber Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAM) 13 disposed, for example, ata central office 14. Each DSL subscriber can also include one or moresubscriber databases 16 for logging information locally including calllogs. In one embodiment, the subscriber databases 16 are disposed in theCPE personal computers 10.

The DSLAMs can be in direct communication with the SPN through adirected communication link 15. Alternatively, the DSLAMs are connectedto a computer network 17, such as a wide area network including theinternet or world wide web, through an Internet Service Provider (ISP)18. The computer network is in communication with the SPN through a webportal 19. The computer network may also include a plurality ofadditional computers 20 directly connected to the network itself, andone or more databases (not shown) for storing information including calllogs. This network configuration permits communication and data transferamong the numerous devices, networks, and subscribers using varioustypes of equipment, methods, and protocols readily available and knownin the art.

Referring to FIG. 2, in an embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, a customer or subscriber wishing to retrieve, view andutilize the contents of a call log for one or more subscriber phonenumbers on the SPN, including wireline subscribers, DSL/IP subscribers,and wireless subscribers, retrieves the call log associated with thephone 17. The call logs are retrieved from a first database. Suitablefirst databases are located internal to the SPN and at the premises ofthe customer associated with the phone numbers for which the call logshave been retrieved.

The customer interfaces with the SPN or the first database using thecustomer's CPE, including both wire line subscriber CPE and DSLsubscriber CPE, through a wireless device in the wireless network, orthrough a computer connected to the computer network. Suitable methodsto access the SPN include E-mail, internet website interfaces using, forexample, windows-type environments, and dedicated call-up servers. Inone embodiment, the customer retrieves the call log using a computer. Inanother embodiment, the computer is a customer premises computer 10 incommunication with the first database. Preferably, the first database 16and the customer premises computer 10 are located at the premises of thecustomers associated with the phone numbers for which the call logs havebeen retrieved. In one embodiment, the first database is disposed withinthe customer premises computer.

In one embodiment, retrieval of a call log is facilitated by a call logmanager program that runs on the computer that the customer uses toretrieve the call log. The call log manager can access the firstdatabase, read, and display the contents of the call log on thecustomer's computer screen.

Once the customer has retrieved at least one call log, the subscribercan view the contents of the call log. The call log can be formatted andarranged using any suitable method for providing lists of databaseinformation that are available and known in the art. Preferably, thecall log is formatted as a list of entries arranged in chronologicalorder and containing information about the calls placed to the phonenumber for which the call log was retrieved. This information includesthe date and time of each call, the phone number placing the call, andthe status of the call, for example “Left Message”, “Hung Up” or“Answered”. The customer scrolls the list and selects entries from thelist using conventional methods for scrolling list and selecting entries18. Preferably, each entry is provided as a hyperlink, and the entriesare selected by pointing to the desired entry using a computer pointingdevice such as a mouse and “clicking” on that entry. Multiple entriescan be selected from the list using methods known in the art such asdepressing and holding the CTRL key while “clicking” multiple entries.Again, the call log manager facilitates these functions.

Once the desired entries are selected, at least one address book isretrieved for each selected entry from a second database. Suitablesecond databases are located internal to the SPN and at the premise ofthe customer associated with the phone number for which the call log hasbeen retrieved. Preferably, the second database is located at thepremises of the customer. In one embodiment, the second database isdisposed within the customer premises computer. Preferably, the firstand second databases are the same database.

In order to retrieve the address books for the selected entries, atleast one computer executable address program is launched automaticallyby the call log manager 19 upon selection of the entries by the customerThe address programs have access to the second database and are capableof reading the various formats in which the address books are stored.Suitable formats for the address books include, but are not limited to,OUTLOOK® commercially available from the Microsoft Corporation, Hotmail®commercially available from the Microsoft Corporation, Eudoracommercially available from Software Oasis, Inc., bigfoot™ commerciallyavailable from Bigfoot Communications, InfoSpace™ commercially availablefrom InfoSpace, Inc., and BellSouth.net™ commercially available fromBellSouth Incorporated. The address books were previously stored in thesecond database by the associated native programs.

The address program then searches all of the address book formats on thesecond database for address books related to the selected entries 20. Inorder to facilitate this searching, the call log manager extractsidentification information from the selected entries such as phonenumbers. The address program then searches all address books for theextracted phone numbers. Once the address books have been located, thecall log manager retrieves at least one address book associated witheach selected entry 21 and displays the contents of the retrievedaddress books to the requesting customer 22, preferably on the screen ofthe customer premises computer. In one embodiment, the call log managerdisplays the retrieved address books in the format of the applicationassociated with that address book. In another embodiment, the call logmanager extracts information from the various address books and createsand displays a single address book containing the accumulatedinformation. The call log manager also facilitates moving among thevarious address books. In one embodiment, the call log manager providesfor the synchronization of information among the various address booksassociated with a single call log to the extent that each address booksupports a specific type of information.

Each displayed address book contains a plurality of contact addressesfor the selected entry to which it is associated. Each contact addressrepresents a different format or method for contacting the party thatcontacted or attempted to contact the phone number for which the calllog was requested. Suitable contact addresses include E-mail addresses,internet pager addresses, wire line phone numbers, wire less phonenumbers, internet protocol phone numbers, telefacsimile numbers, instantmessaging addresses, personal digital assistant addresses, andcombinations thereof. The contact addresses are displayed by the samemethods and formats as the call logs, and the customer can view andselect entries from the contact address list using the same methods asfor the call log.

The customer then selects one or more contact addresses from thedisplayed list of contents of the address books 23. The customer selectsthe contact addresses based upon the method by which that customerwishes to contact the party that called. For example, the party may wishto immediately contact the party that called by dialing the party'scellular phone. Alternatively, the customer may send a fax or contactthe party that called via E-mail. Once the contact addresses areselected, then the call log manager launches at least one computerexecutable communications program capable of utilizing the selectedcontact address to contact the party that called 24. In one embodiment,the call log manager launches independent existing programs associatedwith the contact addresses. In another embodiment, the call log managerlaunches an independent proprietary program capable of utilizing thecontact address including using E-mail and internet protocol phones,both software and handset types. In order to facilitate use of thecontact address, the call log manager can interface with the internet orWorld Wide Web through an internet protocol network interface. The calllog manager then prompts the customer for any additional information asneeded and contacts the party associated with the selected contactaddress 25.

As an example of the use of the method of the present invention asillustrated in FIGS. 3–5, a DSL customer or subscriber having CPEincluding a personal computer 10 containing an internal database 26wishing to access the contents of a call log associated with theinternet protocol telephone number for the premises containing thecomputer 10 and resident on the internal database 26 initiates the calllog manager on the computer 10. As is shown in FIG. 3, the customer usesthe call log manager to retrieve the call log for the internet protocolphone number which is displayed on the screen 27 of the computer 10 as alist in a Call Log box 28. The call log is associated with an InternetCall Waiting (ICW) service provided with the customers subscription tothe internet protocol phone number. The customer views the call log andselects an entry 29 from the call log to contact using a pointing device30 and cursor 31.

The call log manager extracts the phone number, NPA-NNN-NNNN, from theselected entry 29 and searches the second database for all address bookscontaining or associated with that phone number. As is shown in FIG. 4,the call log manager then displays an address book display 32 on thescreen 27. The address book display is arranged as an alphabetical pagein an address book and contains all of the stored contact informationand addresses for the party associated with the selected entry. Thecustomer selects the PDA contact address using the cursor and pointingdevice. As is shown in FIG. 5, the call log manager launches an E-mailprogram and provides the customer with an E-mail window 34 addressed tothe party associated with the address book. The customer then types in amessage as desired and sends the E-mail using conventional methods.

Other embodiments and uses of the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from consideration of this application andpractice of the invention disclosed herein. The present description andexamples should be considered exemplary only, with the true scope andspirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. As willbe understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, variations andmodifications of each of the disclosed embodiments, includingcombinations thereof, can be made within the scope of this invention asdefined by the following claims.

1. A method for utilizing the contents of a call log containing a listof callers to a phone number the method comprising: retrieving the calllog associated with the phone number from a first database; selecting atleast one entry from the list of callers in the call log; indicating astatus of the at least one entry selected from the call log wherein thestatus at least one chosen from a group consisting of: “Answered”, “HungUp” and “Left a Message” wherein the “Answered” status indicates a phonecall was received by a party, the “Hung Up” status indicates the phonecall was disconnected before the phone call was answered by the party,and the “Left a Message” status indicates a caller left a voice mailmessage; retrieving at least one address book for the selected entryfrom a second database, the address book comprising a plurality ofcontact addresses for the selected entry; selecting one or more contactaddresses wherein the selected one or more contact addresses indicates auser selectable process for contacting the selected entry; andcontacting the selected entry using the selected contact addresses. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving the address book comprises:launching at least one computer executable address program having accessto the address books stored in the second database; searching the seconddatabase for address books associated with the selected entry;retrieving at least one address book associated with the selected entry;and displaying the contents of the retrieved address books.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein selecting one or more contact addressescomprises selecting one or more contact addresses from the displayedcontents of the address books.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereincontacting the selected entry comprises launching at least one computerexecutable communication program capable of utilizing the selectedcontact addresses.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the contactaddresses comprise E-mail addresses, internet pager addresses, wire linephone numbers, internet protocol phone numbers, telefacsimile numbers,instant messaging addresses, personal digital assistant addresses, orcombinations thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the call log isassociated with an internet protocol phone number.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the first database is disposed at a customer premisesassociated with the internet protocol phone number.
 8. A method forutilizing the contents of a call log containing a list of callers to aphone number, the method comprising: retrieving the call log associatedwith the phone number from a first database using a customer premisescomputer in communication with the first database, first database andthe customer premises computer located at the premises of the customerassociated with the phone number; selecting at least one entry from thelist of callers in the call log, at least one entry selected from thecall log wherein the status at least one chosen from a group consistingof: “Answered”, “Hung Up” and “Left a Message” wherein the “Answered”status indicates a phone call was received by a party, the “Hung Up”status indicates the phone call was disconnected before the phone callwas answered by the party, and the “Left a Message” status indicates acaller left a voice mail message; retrieving at least one address bookfor the selected entry from a second database, the address bookcomprising a plurality of contact addresses for the selected entry; andselecting one or more contact addresses wherein the selected one or morecontact addresses indicates a user selectable process for contacting theselected entry; and launching at least one computer executablecommunication program capable of utilizing the selected contactaddresses to contact the selected entry.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the call log is associated with an internet protocol phonenumber.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the contact addressescomprise E-mail addresses, internet pager addresses, wire line phonenumbers, internet protocol phone numbers, telefacsimile numbers, instantmessaging addresses, personal digital assistant addresses, orcombinations thereof.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein retrieving theaddress book comprises: launching at least one computer executableaddress programs having access to the address books stored in the seconddatabase; searching the second database for address books associatedwith the selected entry; retrieving at least one address book associatedwith the selected entry; and displaying the contents of the retrievedaddress books.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein selecting one or morecontact addresses comprises selecting one or more contact addresses fromthe displayed contents of the address books.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein selecting the one or more contact addresses wherein the selectedone or more contact addresses indicates a user selectable process forcontacting the selected entry comprises selecting the one or morecontact addresses wherein the selected one or more contact addressesindicates a user selectable process for contacting the selected entrycomprising one or more of the following: contacting the party by dialingthe party's telephone; contacting the party by sending the party afacsimile; and contacting the party by sending the party an e-mail. 14.The method of claim 8, wherein selecting the one or more contactaddresses wherein the selected one or more contact addresses indicates auser selectable process for contacting the selected entry comprisesselecting the one or more contact addresses wherein the selected one ormore contact addresses indicates a user selectable process forcontacting the selected entry comprising one or more of the following:contacting a party by dialing the party's telephone; contacting theparty by sending the party a facsimile; and contacting the party bysending the party an e-mail.
 15. Method for replying to a communicationcomprising: receiving a communication; displaying a log containing anentry corresponding to the communication, the entry indicating a statuswherein the status at least one chosen from a group consisting of: ofone of the following: “Answered”, “Hung Up” and “Left a Message” whereinthe “Answered” status indicates a phone call was received by a party,the “Hung Up” status indicates the phone call was disconnected beforethe phone call was answered by the party, and the “Left a Message”status indicates a caller left a voice mail message; in response toreceiving an input selecting the entry, retrieving at least onecommunication address associated with the entry; displaying a listcomprising the at least one communication address; receiving a userinput selecting the at least one communication address; and initiating acommunication to the at least one communication address.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the at least one communication address comprises aphone number.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least onecommunication address comprises a cell phone number.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the at least one communication address comprises ane-mail address.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least onecommunication address comprises a facsimile number.
 20. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the at least one communication address comprises aninstant messaging address.